“THEY used to call it the breakup belt. Women (and it has always been women) of a certain sort and class historically committed themselves to memorializing the bonds of a relationship by stitching a needlepoint belt for the Loved One.”

The focus of the story is Smathers & Branson, below we show a sampling of belts from the firm.

We simply adore the treatment Guy Trebay gives the topic, especially this sentence:

“…despite the sartorial horrors visited on us lately under the guise of a preppy revival,

Thank you, thank you, thank you Mr. Trebay, you are definitely our new hero at the Prepatorium. Frequent readers know of the incessant whining and caterwauling occasional concerns shared in this space about the merchandise passing for prep these days, and “sartorial horrors” is a perfect description. Back to your story:

“… needlepoint belts are jaunty and casual but also so clearly handmade that they achieve an offhand formality equally suitable for wear with shorts or a summer suit. Anyway, the best ones do.”

Back to Mr. Trebay’s story, and his explanation for focusing on Smathers & Branson.

“Other labels were there already: J. McLaughlin, Vineyard Vines and the neo-preppy Tucker Blair all offer their own ranges of hand-stitched needlepoint products. But unlike the competition, Smathers & Branson both indulges the preppy clichés (burgees and Labrador retrievers) and takes a sly wink at them.”

“So, what’s his appeal? Simple. Don Draper represents, in his repressed way, everything we’re either not supposed to do or are even allowed to do anymore.

He smokes fantastic amounts at work, in restaurants, at home and in the car with his kids.

He drinks at lunch, at work, at home and before getting into his car. He’d rather have sex than babysit.

His favorite food group is steer.”

Hmmm, it probably is a sensible theory. We aren’t exactly into all the analysis about why we watch, we just watch, proof positive that behind the moat and drawbridge, we’re just a couple of simpletons lolling about the Palace! (Heh, heh, heh.)

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We leave you with a Sales & Savings opportunity.

Courtesy Target

Le Boutique Targét is playing upon the Black Friday insanity, and doing an online only promotion, Back in Black Friday tomorrow.